Largest single drug haul secured
Authorities have secured the largest quantity of drugs ever seized in a single operation in Cyprus, while a 34-year-old and a 26-year-old suspect remain in eight-day remand custody.
The head of YKAN, Christos Andreou, said the authorities store the drugs under strict security measures and destroy them in the presence of a special committee to ensure full transparency.
Strict handling and laboratory analysis
After seizure, officers register the substances as evidence and send them to the State Laboratory for analysis. Experts test the drugs to identify their type and purity. Authorities then reseal the evidence and officially register it so it can be used in court.
Andreou explained that authorities do not destroy the drugs immediately. They wait until court proceedings end or receive special authorisation before activating a designated committee. The committee includes a police officer, a representative from Pharmaceutical Services, a State Laboratory official and a member of the Cyprus Addiction Authority.
Destruction process under oversight
Committee members verify that the packages remain sealed and confirm that no contents have been removed. Authorities then transfer the substances to an approved facility, where they destroy them through high-temperature incineration.
Andreou said the process follows strict legal procedures and remains fully transparent. Police have also released a video showing the destruction of seized drugs to address public concerns.
Authorities plan another large-scale destruction operation by the end of the month, similar to last year’s process.
Also read: Massive Nicosia drug bust uncovers drugs and weapons
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